I saw a beautiful girl today in riding gear. I wanted to tell her that I started riding but I'm too awkward. Haha. Fun Story.

Just throwing this out here... but if you're only interested in the idea of riding for the ladies, they will figure it out sooner or later and banish you into the realm of barn drama.

I'm not saying that's the case with you, but I see this from time to time with local guys who get into riding on their own accord. They realized it's an excellent avenue to pick up girls, but the problem is that the sport is a heck of a lot harder than it looks and they eventually quit after a few months of not making a lot of progress due to their attention being elsewhere in the ring. :)

Just throwing this out here... but if you're only interested in the idea of riding for the ladies, they will figure it out sooner or later and banish you into the realm of barn drama.

I'm not saying that's the case with you, but I see this from time to time with local guys who get into riding on their own accord. They realized it's an excellent avenue to pick up girls, but the problem is that the sport is a heck of a lot harder than it looks and they eventually quit after a few months of not making a lot of progress due to their attention being elsewhere in the ring. :)

I became interested in riding before I even considered the possible benefits. In fact, at first I was somewhat nervous about riding with a bunch of girls, but it was someone on here who reminded me that it might actually be good thing, not a bad thing for me. I'd still ride if every rider in the US were male.

Though as it stands, the #1 lady in my horse-riding life has big brown eyes, four legs, and a lovely black mane & tail.

Hehe. If you are truly committed to the sport and the animals, the excessive amount of ladies that will give you attention is just the icing on the cake!

I'm with you though, the mane (get it?) girl in my life stands about 16hh and answers to the name Princess! For me, riding is the one thing that takes me out of day to day drama and gives me true peace of mind. People who don't ride will just never understand that connection we have with our horses, even if it seems a bit rocky at times when they decide to dump you on your back after throwing a tantrum in the jumper ring. :)

Doesn't much matter what you're riding, if you love horses, you will fall in love with any horse you get to ride around on for a while. Can't be helped. They have such great personalities.

If this is a good school, they'll have you riding horses that are mild tempered, don't usually spook and are used to beginners. Like I said in another comment, a good horse will teach nearly as much as a good instructor. Sex is irrelevant in the beginning - what you want is intuitive, patient and well mannered.

I started on a typical "babysitter" horse, then progressed to a horse who was the perfect classic western horse - only she was abused when she was young and has serous issues in the stall. So I went in prepared - taught me a lot about stall manners, how to handle a horse who is not in a good mood, etc etc. but when you got on board, **** she is the best ride in the world - truly telepathic. I am mad about her and I hope to one day buy her.

Then there's my new horse - a roan Holsteiner, he's got back but he's got style too and he's got a weird hopping trot but a glorious and smooth lope. And my old babysitter horse - a big ass Morgan who finds his inner crazy now and then.

Horses are amusing and unique and fun and amazing. I love em all. I love the curious babies and the droll older males. I love the females who run the show. Love em. I love riding, grooming, hanging at the barn stinking up my boots even after I turn out my horse, giving out a few pieces of carrots and apples and little treats to the other horses. (sucking up for the time I might get to ride one of em).

You'll learn to canter when your instructor thinks it's time.

The canter in English is vigorous so be content to become adept at your walk and posting and sitting trot to gain experience, confidence and balance. You'll get the breezes and some thrills with a good fast trot that I can promise you.

Contain yourself when you decide to check out the ladies. We ladies like to be checked out, but if a guy is doing a lot of it, it's unwelcome because we're at a barn (or any recreation or sport) for one reason - to work out and learn.

A barn isn't a club. You go to learn to ride, for the horses, not too much for the people, although they're important in that they will help you. You don't want the women there to avoid you for fear of encouraging your romantic interest. Let them check YOU out, since you're the minority. Even my best friend in riding who is a man - and I hardly talk until the lessons are over. So I don't know what he's doing in class because I'm completely preoccupied with what I'm supposed to be doing. We're just friends but that's the way it is in this sport - friends with a mutual interest.

You went through all these contortions starting so I don't want you to start off on the wrong foot. You were worried about what everyone was going to think of you so try not to go in the opposite direction and become a royal PITA guy who's always looking at some girl's butt. (women KNOW)

Just ride. Riders love other riders for their love of riding. That's why we're all there.

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